Game 44: B’more

This series is about as important as a mid-May series can get. The Orioles gave the Yankees fits down the stretch last year and currently sit four games back in the AL East, so these three games will give the Bombers a chance to create some distance in the division race. Almost no lead is insurmountable this time of year, but that doesn’t mean having decent-sized cushion isn’t a big deal. Here’s the lineup that will face former Yankee right-hander Freddy Garcia…

And on the mound is the Indians’ leader in homers hit by a pitcher over the last 40 years (two), left-hander CC Sabathia.

It’s cloudy in Baltimore and the forecast calls for some showers later tonight. Hopefully they won’t be bad enough to delay or postpone the game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm ET and can be seen on YES locally and ESPN nationally. Enjoy.

Injury Updates (via the AP): Chris Stewart (groin) is feeling better but is still unable to return to anything more than emergency catching duty … Alex Rodriguez (hip) fielded grounders today for the first time since surgery … Kevin Youkilis (back) took batting practice on the field, fielded grounders at first and third, and made throws to the bases … Eduardo Nunez (ribcage) fielding some grounders … Joba Chamberlain (oblique) threw a bullpen session and is expected to make another minor league appearances this week … earlier today we learned Mark Teixeira (wrist) took some at-bats in a simulated game.

I’m not a fan of starting Ichiro over Wells, even with Garcia on the mound. Wells is a better hitter, even against RHP. Unless Wells needs the day off (when was the last time he sat?), he should be in the lineup over Ichiro. Always.

forensic

When’s the last time Wells sat? Yesterday.

Personally, I would’ve sat Granderson for Wells, but I’m too much of a sucker for batter vs. pitcher history.

Winter

How could I forget yesterday? :P

And you’d take Ichiro over Granderson? I just don’t see it. Except for the last month (really more like 2.5 weeks) of last year, Ichiro has been absolutely horrible the last two years. Granderson has been somewhere between quite good and MVP-caliber over the same stretch.

forensic

I didn’t say anything about Ichiro over Granderson overall or really for a long period of time.

I said for this game, in this matchup, I probably would’ve sat Granderson for Ichiro. Like I said, I’m a sucker for matchups, and there are certainly limitations (like Granderson not facing Garcia since 2010 and Ichiro not since 2011), but still, the number for them are vastly different.

I know Garcia has a massive platoon split this year, but that’s in 3 short games and a couple hits can greatly sway that one way or the other, though I understand piling the lefties into the lineup.

Just saying, this is what I might have done in this game. Hopefully both Granderson and Ichiro have big games and our couch-side managing is meaningless.

The Real Greg

Yeah Granderson would be the one to sit

.176 (6 for 40) against Freddy.

Ichiro is .367 (11 for 34)

Wells is .438 (7 for 19)

The Real Greg

And before people mention Ichiro’s degrading skills,

From 2010-2013 he was 3 for 10 against Garcia.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Most of that was when Garcia was a better pitcher and when Ichiro was good.

The Real Greg

See above

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Ichiro was still good in 2010.
None of the 3 really have any relevant, recent experience against Garcia.

The Real Greg

Fair enough

1 for 3 in 2011-2013.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

3 at bats? Really?

Ichiro has been bad. Grandyman hasn’t. I think that’s far more relevant than 3 at bats.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

With a .583 OPS.

Good AVG, lousy OPS.
Either way, really nothing (only 4 PA) to use as a basis for any decisions.

The Real Greg

And you’re right. Only Reid Brigniac and Jayson Nix have had at bats against Garcia the last two years, primarily because Garcia was on the Yankees the last two years.

forensic

While that’s certainly true on Ichiro, Garcia arguably hasn’t really been good since about 2005, other than a short start here and there (and of course the 2011 fluke of all flukes). And, a similar argument could be made that those bad Granderson numbers come from a time when in the past when he was arguably a much more balanced hitter with great numbers in ’07 and ’08.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Fair point.

The Real Greg

There’s a bit of concern as this has a bit of a reverse lock feel to it. But I hope we can pound Freddy.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

About as important as a mid-May series can get, huh?

In other words, not that important.

Laz

A win is a win, regardless of what month of the regular season. We just don’t know who the other teams they have to outplay yet are.

Winter

Well, a win over a potential contender for the Division is more important, because it also guarantees a loss for them. You’re right that the month doesn’t matter though.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

I think statistically it does, just like an at bat in a tie game in the ninth matters more than an at bat tied 0-0 in the first. It’s all a matter of probability – later in the season, with less games to play, the probability of you winning the division in a close pennant race decreases substantially more with each loss than losses in mid-May. That’s why people don’t panic when you’re four back in April but you do panic when you’re four back in September.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

…Also, the odds of tying the game or taking the lead down one run in the first are substantially higher than tying or taking the lead down one run in the ninth.

Laz

Both at bats matter the same. It is simply that the AB in the 9th of a tie game has much more pressure, and people equate that pressure with importance.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Not exactly. Look at the WPA graph. Why do you think jumps in the graph are much more dramatic at different points in the game? It’s because when time winds down in close games at bats become more important than earlier.

forensic

Uh oh, an A-Rod update.

Cue the outrage that he’s still in the organization…

trr

He is?

Eddard

CC dominates the Orioles. Freddy should be retired. They can’t lose this one, they just can’t.

Winter

poo poo poo

trr

Don’t know if anyone else is seeing the damage from the massive tornado that struck Oklahoma, but it looks like most of the town of Moore OK has been completely destroyed. Prayers and best wishes to all residents….

FEED.ME.MORE!

Well said.

Eddard

And I like how people say, well CC just isn’t that good anymore because my eyes tell me that his velocity has declined. I wonder how many pitchers would say that a 3.19 ERA in the AL East just isn’t that good anymore. CC is doing just fine and that velocity will go up a couple ticks as the year goes on.

FEED.ME.MORE!

FOR PRUSSIA!!!!

FEED.ME.MORE!

Those tornadoes in the Midwest are insane. I’d take any Hurricane or Blizzard over a Tornado anyday.

Dalek Jeter

Ichiro, we need you to act like it’s a decade ago FOR PRUSSIA!!!

Pasta Stumbling Sojo

Gotta love a thread that starts off with comments like “From 2010-2013 he was 3 for 10 against Garcia.” from Greg. As if 10 at bats over a 3.5 year period could ever be predictive of anything.

The Real Greg

That was a meatball. Gardner has to do something more with that pitch.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

FUCK YEAH ROBBIE

The Real Greg

And Cano did it with that meatball

FEED.ME.MORE!

Cano: “Slump? What slump?”

Dalek Jeter

ROBBIE CANO!!!

Way to call it Kenny!!!

Anderson Silva

Robbie just murders the O’s! Add another one!

Rolling Doughnut

He’s Baaaaack

Wheels

Robbie!

forensic

Nice Cano!

I thought that might’ve been a gapper, but not getting out. Maybe the ball is carrying well there tonight.

Pseudoyanks

Robbie just ran around the bases faster than I’ve seen him go to first a couple of times.

vicki

hey, forensic, howyalike them batter vs. pitching stats now? (wink)

forensic

:-)

Dalek Jeter

The move is to sit Ichiro. He’s done. I mean it’s late May and he’s off to a horrendous start: .241/.281/.328 wRC+ is 56(!!!) after being pretty terrible for two consecutive years, so I don’t get how it’s a “conundrum” to find him playing time. He’s a pinch runner and defensive replacement and 4th outfielder, apart from his name and contract I don’t understand why he’s being treated any differently.

Pseudoyanks

Those are Exactly the two reasons why he is being treated differently.

I feel like the ‘greater than’ arrows were getting to be too much…but imagine them going on literally forever. Imagine a google of them.

Dalek Jeter

I really don’t understand why we have to hurt our chances of winning to placate this dude’s ego. He’s not Jorge Posada, he’s not Andy, hell he’s not even A-Rod, who has been here a decade now. He’s a hired gun who came on last year for a chance at winning a ring. Jason Kidd was one of the best point guards of all time. He didn’t start for the Knicks, did he? No. He took a back seat as a role player because he knew it was what’s best for the teams chance to win.

Pseudoyanks

“I really don’t understand why we have to hurt our chances of winning to placate this dude’s ego”
The Front Office made that decision when they signed him, though it’s not just his ego, it’s also selling Ichiro jerseys in Kyoto.

Dalek Jeter

I’m sure you’re right, that’s one thing I do miss about George, winning came before anything. Even the bottom line. The same cannot be said for his kids. I’m not saying they should sell the team or whatever, because I’m sure that’s most owners. It’s just weird seeing things come before winning.

forensic

Yeah, because George never made bad signings or did dumb shit that hurt the team.

Ken Phelps

I resent that!

Dalek Jeter

I’m not saying he didn’t, but he did it with the intention to win, not the intention to reach out to international markets to make more money.

forensic

And they’ve never said that’s why they’re doing it. That’s just what people like to use as another excuse to bash them and Ichiro.

Dalek Jeter

Honestly, I don’t care what the motivation is. The numbers and my eyes tell me the right baseball move is to turn Ichiro into 4th outfielder.

Anderson Silva

I just wish the Streinbrenners had this same opinion of him

Pasta Stumbling Sojo

Yeah but see Greg’s comment above. He’s 1 for 3 against Freddy from 2011-2013. That’s .333! What more evidence could you want that it’s a good idea to start Ichiro?

Wheels

Nice start.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Addy!!!!!!

The Real Greg

Kay is just itching to jinx Adams

And he failed.

Dalek Jeter

DAVID ADAMS!!!! First big league homer!!!

Cy Pettitte

first HR for Adams, nice.

Wheels

See ya!

Anderson Silva

Damn! Adams is impressive as hell!

Get Phelps Up

What was Sterling’s call?

Leg-End

That’s great stuff.

mike myers

up up and adam?

Dalek Jeter

Swing harder Reid lol…

Alkaline

So happy I got to see Adams a couple times this year in AAA and that I caught that live. Great swing!

Hope JJ enjoyed that live!

vicki

what was sterling’s call?

Jim B. Johnson

Did anyone hear John Sterling’s call for the David Adams homer? Just wondering what it was.

Reuben Sierra’s Chains

David is Goliath!

Vern Sneaker

We DFA’d this guy?!

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Nope. They didn’t even bother with the DFA. They just straight released him (though they probably already had a deal worked out to keep him).

Vern Sneaker

Okay, thx.

Dalek Jeter

I cannot believe nobody took a shot on him…he’s done nothing but impress me so far.

Neo

“David is Goliath!”

Dalek Jeter

No…no way….that can’t be it.

Neo

I was barely paying attention, interrupted by the kids at the key moment, but that is what I heard sterling say.

The Real Greg

That was it.

vicki

not good.

forensic

Yeah Adams!!!

Maybe Matt should write a few more posts about how we should temper our expectations on some other players…

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

I’m starting to feel really excited about Ben Francisco….or is that asking for too much of a miracle?

forensic

Believing in magic from blog writers is one thing, but they’re not miracle workers…

Combine Matt doing these posts and Mike doing his posts on guy’s slumps, and they might never lose again.

JonS

So happy for Adams!!

Eddard

Adams keeps giving more and more proof that these kids should be up in NY helping the MLB ballclub when there are a rash of injuries. Francisco should be cut immediately after the game.

Ya, I tried keeping it under 30.. We got guys on the cusp in Betances and Mustellier as well.. I could see Dellin carving out a role as a dominant kelsey jansen type 8th inning guy eventually..

TheLastClown

Jeter

Andy

Nice to see the yankee haters at ESPN give the yanks their due

Wheels

Adam Jones still blowing bubbles.

Get Phelps Up

David Adams now has as many homers against non-Astros teams than Josh Hamilton!

Dalek Jeter

If/when Youk and/or Stewart are healthy and Adams and/or Romine are playing well I hope the Vets aren’t just handed their spots back. Especially Adams for Youkilis. Youk’s a very good player, don’t get me wrong…but it’s more fun watching a kid do it than a vet, and if they’re both playing well I’d much rather see the kid.

vicki

easy. platoon 1B.

forensic

You know better than to expect that with how the organization has clear preference for vets whenever possible (and they won’t have guys lose their jobs to injury, which is why I still think Nova will be back in the rotation upon his return too). Once Youk is back, Adams is back in AAA. Once Stewart is healthy, he’ll get the majority of the play again (possibly not quite to the point he was before with almost 5 out of 6 or 6 out of 7 games, but will still get more than Romine).

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

I think Adams sticks around until at least both Tex and Youk are back.
I also think Phelps stays in the rotation.

forensic

Wishful thinking still that they’ll dump Francisco when the first of them is ready? I like it, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

As for Phelps, again I’d really hope so (I was all over him being in the rotation right from the start of ST), but I’m not so sure it will happen. This is more possible, in my opinion, than the Adams thing though as there is more money tied up in Youk than Nova (though the possible future implications may outweigh that thereby nullifying that advantage).

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

I do think Francisco will be dumped if Youk is back first. If Tex is back first, I suppose it could be Overbay, but I think it might still be Francisco, keeping Overbay around as insurance, at least for a while.

Dalek Jeter

I know :( That’s why I said I hope, I know it won’t happen..which is honestly why I’m surprised the Brignac acquisition didn’t just push Nix to 3rd full time and Adams to the bench/minors.

forensic

Eh, there’s a big difference between the Brignac’s and Nix’s of the world and the Youkilis’. Especially in terms of money.

nycsportzfan

How can we not have enough to get a good hitter at the dealine without giving up a Sanchez or Robertson or something? I mean, these guys are performing, which is all that should matter.. Phelps, Warren, Nova, Nuno, Gardner,Adams..etc Look how Zach McCallister is doing as well. If i’m a team like the Mariners or Cubs, i’m looking to get a couple of these cheap yankee pieces that are performing for a Soriano or a Morales or something like that..

nycsportzfan

Not saying i’d do it, but i here sometimes all we have is the Sanchez, Williams, and Austins to bargain with, and i believe we got a bunch of guys that are prooving to be perfect fits and good cheap gap fillers that mesh perfectly with a few vets..

Karl Krawfid

92 mph

forensic

Geez CC, what a meatball, hanging slider there…

nycsportzfan

Eh, he gives up HR’s, but at leasst there usually solo shots and don’t do super harm..

forensic

They still do harm, it’s a quick run. And he’s on pace to blow past his career high in HR’s (which he just set last year).

Get Phelps Up

Doesn’t that also mean that he’s due for some regression (less HR’s given up?)

forensic

Hopefully.

It could also be a little of the manifestation of his lesser stuff/velocity at this point in his career.

Brian S.

That’s not how regression works in a limited sample. Also he’s a different pitcher than he once was.

nycsportzfan

If he wins this game, hes on pace for like 18wins and a sub 3.50 ERA which is fantastic. He just gives up the long ball becuase he challenges guys and dosen’t walk em is all.

The Real Greg

Agreed. Just like Ichiro, he’s slowing down. His fastball is slower so he can’t get away with what he used to be able to get away with.

Dalek Jeter

Ichiro has cliff dived, hit a small hill then fell of that cliff too…CC’s on a much less precipitous decline.

Get Phelps Up

He’s on pace to give up nearly 30 homers this season. I feel comfortable saying that pace will regress as the season goes on. Even if he’s a different pitcher.

nycsportzfan

Ya, and hes also on pace for 15wins and a sub 3.50era… My point is he gives up his RUNS via the HR is all..

Pseudoyanks

Which HR has gotten the loudest reaction?

The Real Greg

The ball is jumpin’ tonight.

Rolling Doughnut

One slider too many.

Dalek Jeter

Ball is straight up flying out tonight.

nycsportzfan

With Freddy pitching, i just can’t wait for our offense to get back up there!!!lol

forensic

Watching some of those M’s/Indians games really made me sad that the Yankees actually lost a series to them, and after winning a game started by Felix at that.

Just in today’s game, they dropped balls at 1st base twice, once in the 9th and once in the 10th, both times allowing runs (the first to tie and the second to win).

nycsportzfan

Come on CC, one more out here! Lets go!!!

The Real Greg

Damn Brigniac. I think even Jeter would have gotten to that one.

nycsportzfan

Are turn!

Troll

Holy hell, I hope that was on purpose . . .

vicki

i no longer think so. brutal.

nycsportzfan

What?

Brian S.

*our

Dalek Jeter

Completely unrelated, but I weep for our future.

Robinson Tilapia

This is what happens when I’m not around for the better part of two days.

JonS

I had to read it a few times to see what the actual meaning was. haha

Wheels

Be nice.

Wheels

I take that back.

Alkaline

Has to be intentional. Right? RIGHT?!

nycsportzfan

Nah, it wasen’t intentional. Who cares? U know what i mean, right?

Robinson Tilapia

Yes, we all can read on a fucking preschool level.

nycsportzfan

Your a loser dude. Who gives a fuck what you think? Your the man on a fucking yankee messege board..lol Cool bro!!! Your fucking awesome!

Dalek Jeter

Those ‘your’s are intentional too right?

nycsportzfan

Probably not. I just jot shit down when on here when i’m not watching the game with friends or family. I’m certainly not the best writer nor do care if I am. I certainly don’t care about how any of you guys write.

Do you realize how you articulate yourself gives others an impression on your intelligence? I certainly hope you don’t have this attitude in the real world, so to speak. If you want respect, command it. Don’t hide behind petty insults and try to impress upon us that you don’t care about how you present yourself.

Spelling errors, quick typing, etc. are bound to happen to everyone. Those are understandable. Your desecration of the English language, on the other hand…

vicki

the words aren’t even homophones outside of appalachia. you can be dumb, just don’t be so willful about it.

Alkaline

We got this; let’s go!

nycsportzfan

I’d love to be able to see CC bat alittle more.

The Real Greg

It’s Soriano isn’t it?

Tom

Wow they are up there hacking tonight… 36 pitches with one out in the 4th for Freddy.

This is the type of guy they should grind out in 5 innings.

nycsportzfan

Agreed.

forensic

Given his lower pitch counts, it’s the kind of the guy they should grind out in 4 innings.

Some pretty weak hacks up there, I wish someone had told them he doesn’t throw anywhere close to hard and you need to wait a touch longer than normal pitchers. Almost every swing has been early.

nycsportzfan

Its probably just so enticing looking at freddies meatballs, they can’t hold back..lol

nycsportzfan

I got a feeling Granderson is gonna launch one this game!

Pseudoyanks

…that tonight’s gonna be a good night.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Looked safe to me.

The Real Greg

To my naked eye I thought he was safe too. Gotta see another replay.

Pseudoyanks

Just curious, what kind of clothing does your eye wear on a typical day?

Alkaline

Now that was a pretty play.

Troll

Damn, this offense is hideous. A reverse lock never looked so attractive.

The Real Greg

I’m not complaining about it because Freddy Garcia do the same thing to a lot of other offenses when he was with the Yankees. He should be crushed every time, but he’s not.

The Real Greg

*I’ve seen Freddy Garcia

Rolling Doughnut

Oh my what a play. Grandy can’t buy a hit.

Eddard

Who’s at 1st tonight, Jerry Meals? He was safe.

Dalek Jeter

That is the bangiest of bang-bang plays…still think he was safe though.

The Real Greg

On replay, it looked simultaneous.

Leg-End

Freddy is one of those pitchers everyone should hit hard but they know they should so they go up there looking to crush him and he sweats the life out of them.

We will get him soon though, very soon.

The Real Greg

That’s why I’m not upset that the Yankees have only 2 runs. We saw him work the last two years to know better than we were going to oome in and mash him.

Robinson Tilapia

Exactly. That’s the reason he’ll have a job in MLB much longer than you think he will.

Robinson Tilapia

Is it too late for shoutouts to Prussia, jjyank at the game, and to Ron Burgundy?

Dalek Jeter

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Ma and Pa is it’s always an appropriate time for shout outs.

nycsportzfan

Come on CC, get this fool!

Dalek Jeter

CC’s getting squeezed in this AB.

Dalek Jeter

That commercial for cialus and old people sex was about a minute and a half too long.

The Real Greg

I think for CC a key number to watch is hits/9 innings. Coming in, he has given up 9.3 hits/9 which is exactly 1 hit higher than last year’s average. Gotta get that number down.

Pasta Stumbling Sojo

I know you’re familiar with BABIP, so why do you look at hits/9 innings when that’s more of a product of luck than skill compared to K/9, BB/9, and HR/9?

Robinson Tilapia

Another key number to watch: The number of runs the Yankees score in relation to the Orioles.

nycsportzfan

Ya Adams!

forensic

David Adams, you’re our offense’s only hope…

sort of.

Dalek Jeter

Ichiro, you have a sub .300 OBP. Let that hit you.

WhittakerWalt

It kills me when Sterling describes this level of Ichiro’s offense as “un-Ichiro-like.” Dude, yes it is. It’s no longer SSS. This is who Ichiro is now. Willie Mays hasn’t shown much power lately, either. Guys get old.

The Real Greg

Well so far Grandy and Ichiro are nill nill, although Grandy has an arguement.

I’m surprised that the cry for Ichiro to be on the bench is higher outside of this forum.

Kramerica Industries

2 runs and 3 hits in five innings against Garcia is kinda sucky, no?

The Real Greg

But again, we saw him the last 2 years to know better.

Kramerica Industries

That’s right.

We saw him get fucking mauled last season.

forensic

It wasn’t two years, it was one year and that was the flukiest of all fluke years (which can certainly happen in one game like this too, unfortunately).

forensic

Yes.

Troll

Don’t forget that he’s also at 50 pitches in 5 innings. That’s disgusting. They’d give Verlander, Kershaw, and the King a better run for their money . . .

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

No. Kinda sucky really isn’t strong enough.

Robinson Tilapia

He’s a major league pitcher, and one who did rather well for us for an entire season, plus a few good starts when needed his second season.

No. You should never be surprised when anyone wearing a major league uniform pitches well against your team.

Pasta Stumbling Sojo

Alright, Greg. Ichiro is now a shocking 1 for 5 against Freddy Garcia from 2011-2013. That’s a .200 average!

This obviously changes the calculus of whether it’s a good idea to play him vs. Garcia compared to earlier today, when he was batting a robust .333 (1 for 3) from 2011-2013 against him. Have you changed your mind based on this overwhelming new avalanche of data?

The Real Greg

As I mentioned earlier, both Grandy and Ichiro are hitless.

Pasta Stumbling Sojo

Er, I think that reinforces what I was saying. Looking at a sample size of 3 (or 5) tells you essentially nothing about what is likely to happen going forward.

Robinson Tilapia

The Sons of Sam Pearce cheer from the stands.

The Real Greg

Steve Pearce out for revenge!

nycsportzfan

Pearce with the leadoff double. Crap!

teddy

when are the yanks gotta cut suzuki

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

2015?

Robinson Tilapia

You win. Now you have to take teddy out for a steak dinner.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

You’re really wondering about Ichiro when Ben Francisco is still on the team?

They say Stewart could supposedly catch in an emergency. I would guess that comes before Nix, but who knows.

Robinson Tilapia

That would qualify as an emergency. :)

Leg-End

Romine has no chin, that was a nothing hit! Heh.

Robinson Tilapia

Bad things Ichiro bad things grumble grumble

Dalek Jeter

I seem to have started something here! I’ve taken the hatred normally reserved for Francisco and transferred it over to Ichiro. I’ve tried with Nixie unsuccessfully, but with Ichiro it seems to have worked.

nycsportzfan

How much doe is CC making this yr?

forensic

3 Bambis…

Troll

I think he meant “dough” or maybe “bucks” . . . ?

forensic

Bucks could go both ways at least (male bambi or money), but geez, doe vs. dough???

This isn’t rocket science.

Wheels

The most in pro sportz.

Robinson Tilapia

He madd so moch muney U wood not believe it yo

WhittakerWalt

I can’t tell if the runner advanced to third on that out. Believe it or not, Pa Yankee didn’t describe it clearly.

Kramerica Industries

Oh what, the Orioles and their fans are still bitching wreckless abandon about that HBP last year?

Get Phelps Up

The funny thing is that his replacement was one of the only Orioles who actually hit in that series.

Kramerica Industries

Fuck.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Hmmmm, at what point ARE we allowed to be worried about CC?

I’m not saying that two runs, of course, is the time to be worried. It just made me think of the question.

The Real Greg

When his ERA starts getting in the high 3s and into the 4’s.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

I think it’s more important to check out the peripheral stats as opposed to his ERA.

nycsportzfan

Not yet. If he gets through 6or7 innings at 2runs, you gotta tip your cap.

Dalek Jeter

It seems like somebody asks this at some point during CC’s starts this season, then next thing you know it’s the 7th and he’s still pitching, has struck out 6+, hasn’t allowed more than 3 or 4 runs, and has given the Yankees a chance to win.

nycsportzfan

very true.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Okay. But when he’s doing this every single start,you gotta wonder when dominant CC is showing up for a consistent stretch. Grind it out CC is a great thing, but it’s also worrying. You can’t live on the edge forever.

Dalek Jeter

Andy Pettitte’s career 1.351 career WHIP disagrees =P

I get what you’re saying, but until he actually falls off the cliff I have faith that he’ll grind through 7 and pitch well more often than not.

Robinson Tilapia

NO. SOMETHING IS WRONG. CAN’T YOU HEAR!?!?

WhittakerWalt

According to RAB rules, “never.”

Wil Nieves #1 Fan

I’d be mad too if I let STEVE PEARCE score.

teddy

getting beat by there lefthanded hitters and cc getting out pitched bby garcia

WhittakerWalt

How about getting the lefties out?

The Real Greg

I have to say though, the pitch that Markakis hit was a good pitch.

WhittakerWalt

The Davis HR was not. I’m not saying he can never give up a hit to a lefty. It’s just that both RBIs in this game are from lefties. Irritating.

nycsportzfan

Fuck! Come on CC, get outta this!!

Duke

CC has looked like a shell of what he was this whole season thus far. Seems like he gets hit pretty hard every game.

Troll

Incoming missile. I can’t make out the label. I think it says, “3RUHNBOMM”. Look out!

The Real Greg

I think you misread the label.

Troll

Phew, it landed in Chicago instead . . .

Dalek Jeter

This fucking kid man. I love it.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Nice play.
Adams’ throws always scare me though. They almost always look like they are going to sail high.

forensic

I was thinking the same thing. Not much of an arc to them (though some of that is from throwing hard). They seem to move up a bit and just stay there even over the long distance from 3rd to 1st, just low enough for Overbay to reach up and grab it.

So I guess CC is never getting his velocity back. Looks like we won’t be seeing too many 8 inning outings from the big man. Pitch counts have been high early and often this year.

Will The Thrill

I know it’s alot to ask for but I wish the Yanks would sweep or at least win this series. Inter-division wins are so crucial but the Orioles are a Rays-esque pesky team now that seems to give us a super hard time.

Get Phelps Up

That Etihad Airlines commercial is great.

Vern Sneaker

This is the same guy who was bat only? Impressive.

Robinson Tilapia

Sammy is feisty tonight.

The Real Greg

Id I’m reading this correctly, CC’s BAbip is .310 this year.

But his career BABip average is .294

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

The embedded Yankees are failing hard at their jobs right now.

Will The Thrill

Tight games versus division opponents are the worst. It’s even worse when Freddy Garcia is the one beating you.

I know you’re trolling but with his pitch count right now he could probably go 11 or 12.

Troll

You consider that trolling? I just call it sarcasm because . . . YES, with his pitch count so low he COULD go quite deep into a game, ESPECIALLY since it is currently tied. No trolling here. Move along folks.

Get Phelps Up

Yankees suck chants in cities like Baltimore are hilarious.

JonS

Youk would not have made that play. Arod might not either.

Pasta

Yankees suck chant lol balt still sore about last year.

Robinson Tilapia

I once heard a “Yankees suck” chant at a Nets/Heat game at the Meadowlands. It happens.

He’s much more conservative when Cano is batting second, which is one of the reasons I’m still not a fan of it.

Dela G

wow he was out

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Thanks ump.

nycsportzfan

Wow, that was close!

Wheels

Yikes.

Dela G

lol at gardner. he is wearing a legit oven mitt for a protector

Kramerica Industries

Two walks here.

Damn, gotta take advantage. This shouldn’t be a 2-2 game given the pitching matchup.

forensic

Two walks AND a gift missed call at 1B…

your mom

Need runs here.

Will The Thrill

Yankees just should limit running on Weiters. The guy is pretty on point with catching base stealers. You don’t want to run yourself out of an inning.

Dela G

that foul ball left the park

holy shit

Wheels

What a blast.

Dalek Jeter

WOW talk about a loud strike.

Pasta

Gardner needs to get a football wrist pad like linemen wear. Put the oven mitt down.

Dela G

damn it

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Fuck this game.

forensic

Ugh, ugly…

Kramerica Industries

Holy hell is Pronk slow.

Robinson Tilapia

Jose Molina may have beaten that out.

nycsportzfan

Damn Hafner! That stung!

Dalek Jeter

See how a strike out isn’t always the worst possible outcome, Kay? I think Pronk would have prefered a strikeout there?

your mom

Fuck you Casilla, piece of shit.

The Real Greg

Yanks are slightly getting BABip fucked in this game.

Robinson Tilapia

Still sweaty, I guess.

Cy Pettitte

the only way they will get a hit tonight is a HR, the majority of these outs are hard hit right at a fielder.

Will The Thrill

Are you kidding me? Geez. We’re playing right into Freddy Garcia’s finesse pitching style. You think the Yanks would be able to perform better against a guy they know so well…

Robinson Tilapia

Yet we’ve seen shit like this happen before. Just because you watch it over and over doesn’t mean you can hit it.

The Real Greg

Like I said earlier, when Freddy was with the Yankees, we saw this. Balls being hit hard right at fielders.

Leg-End

Curses to you Freddy.

teddy

can’t believe hafner missed that pitch

anderson Silva

pretty fucking awful job with the bats.. would be nice to have Wells’ bat instead of Ichiro in there

teddy

cc gotta blow the game

nycsportzfan

Its not good when Chris Davis is hammering opposite field hits on you.

Dela G

wow showalter checking balls for cheating? what a loser

Leg-End

Checking it for the vagasil and bardol.

your mom

That’d be funny if CC was cheating.

Robinson Tilapia

I used to be fairly ambivalent towards Chris Davis. I hate him now.

Dalek Jeter

DAVID FUCKING ADAMS!!!

The Real Greg

I think he was safe too.

Wheels

Yeah!

nycsportzfan

What a paly by Adams!!!! Hes a beast!!!

Pseudoyanks

Making teh plays!

Pseudoyanks

OK, he was safe but still a pretty play.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Nice play.
Bad umpiring helps again.

teddy

were getting the calls, they are finding holes

Will The Thrill

I’m hoping this isn’t the series where our injuries catch up to us and we become the horrible team we are on paper. Also Buck Showalter needs to stop being a jerk. Does he honestly think CC is altering the ball?

Eddard

Great call, Jerry. He was clearly out.

nycsportzfan

Buck feeling that all the calls are going against him..lol

your mom

IBB Pearce here?

Dela G

i almost spit my water out reading that

your mom

LOL

nycsportzfan

Adams with a nice catch as well!! His defense has been impressive to say the least!

Will The Thrill

I think it can get better especially with diving stops. He let a couple of balls this game get by him for doubles down the line. But he’s doing pretty great for a guy who was a second baseman for most of his minor league career.

Bo Knows

Those were rockets down the line, probably be hard for experience/elite 3rd baseman to get too, can’t fault him for that. Adams has been great defensively.

nycsportzfan

Hes made some really clutch plays tonight. He also has played well on defense outside of this game as well.

Will The Thrill

I hope David Adams establishes himself and turns out to be the serviceable player he was projected to be.

Get Phelps Up

Lestah not off to such a great start on the South Side…

Will The Thrill

The White Sox have always been his Kryptonite.

forensic

Of any teams he’s faced more than once, Lester’s two highest ERA’s are against the Cubs and White Sox.

He must really not like Chicago…

Tom

The embedded Yankees might not be getting it done but those embedded umpires certainly are!

Rolling Doughnut

CC this year and last:

2012: HR/9 1.0 BB/9 2.0 ERA+ 123
2013: 1.2 2.3 131

What’s the problem?

The Real Greg

Lower velocity and learning how to pitch with it.

Dalek Jeter

THE VELO

Kramerica Industries

His WHIP was 1.28 entering tonight.

For someone being paid what he is, it’s expected to be lower.

Rolling Doughnut

It was 1.22 in 2011 and 1.14 in 2012. No big difference. The fact that he is overpaid is beside the point

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

I think that’s pretty much it. That and hits per 9.

nycsportzfan

Could this be the AB Grandy goes yard? I think so!

your mom

Kinda glad Garcia’s pitch count is low, especially in a close game. One swing off of his slop will get us the lead.

your mom

Well shit, he’s out.

Leg-End

Pitch count was good, ran out of sweat.

The Real Greg

ORIOLES WENT TO THE BULLPEN

Dalek Jeter

LOVERBAY!!!

Dela G

BOOM!

This team never fails to give up!

Gritty!

Cy Pettitte

lol Overbay, I have no idea how to explain this.

fabricio

lyle hits it a mile!!!!

Kramerica Industries

Overbay, against a LHP?

We’ll take it!

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Loverbay!!!!

#toomanydamnhomeruns

Wheels

loverbay!!

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

LYLE. FUCKING. OVERBAY.

The Real Greg

And BUck Showalter just got slapped in the face.

nycsportzfan

OVERBAY!!!!!!

forensic

Overbay!

Off a lefty too!

Thanks for being a genius Showalter and taking Garcia out!!!

Robinson Tilapia

Woohoo!

Get Phelps Up

Kyle Loverbay at it again!

Leg-End

Overbay…….quick Buck check his bat.

your mom

Overbay, Fuck yeah! (Sung to the Team America tune)

Eddard

I just don’t see how they can get rid of him. Overbay will be a good bench player when Teixera returns.

Dalek Jeter

I love Loverbay, but once Tex and Youk are back, with Adams in the fold as well…I’m just not sure there is room for Loverbay.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

That’s the choice if/when Tex and Youk and Hafner are healthy at the same time: Overbay or Adams (or if Cash is in trolling mood – Francisco)

Dalek Jeter

I’d say Adams. He can play 2B in an emergency, a Rightie, and his best is ahead of him.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

I could see that, unless there’s still some concern for Tex’s wrist.
They can option Adams, I don’t imagine there’s anyway they’d be able to get Overbay in the minors. I could see them keeping Overbay temporarily for Tex insurance.

Robinson Tilapia

I hear you. I can’t see how you can make room on the roster, though. Think about it.

At the very least, he’s now got some trade value, which you couldn’t have predicted at the start of the season.

Tom

Dear Buck…Thanks for taking Freddy out!

Robinson Tilapia

Ryback can’t cut a promo.

flamingo

This team is ridiculous. I love it.

The Real Greg

Oh Adams, that’s right down the middle

Dalek Jeter

Reasons that Wells isn’t pinch hitting here?

The Real Greg

The only reason I could figure is defense.

The Real Greg

Why no Vernon Wells? I don’t know. Somebody should ask

nycsportzfan

Vernon would of made sense there.

Matt

You can also stop making excuses for everything that Girardi does. You would defend him even if he forfeited the game and took his team off the field by making up some nonsense like that they were tired and needed to sleep so they could win the next game.

Tom

Why no PH here?

nycsportzfan

Adams looked like Nix on that take strike 3 there.

your mom

Useless I say!!!! Useless!!!!!!!!!!

Will The Thrill

Overbay has been spectacular. He may not be a OBP stud but the power and respectable average have been there. I can’t imagine Teixeira doing much better especially with his slow starts which always seem to drag on for the first three months of the season.

Leg-End

If Tex hits like its April and Overbay is traded people are gonna lose their minds……until Tex realises its June.

Kramerica Industries

This is like Stockholm Syndrome or something.

We’ve forgotten that, even in his declining state, there’s a reason why Tex has a secure contract and Overbay was floating on waivers three days before the season began.

Get Phelps Up

Overbay’s been great no doubt, but you gotta think Tex could do better than a 105 OPS+.

Troll

Okay, I’m about 5 miles from boarding the Ichiro hate-train . . . I’ma burnin’ for the Vernon.

Will The Thrill

Ichiro looks done and there’s no reason to have patience and wait it out like we did with Ibanez. Ibanez had power at least but Ichiro’s hit tool looks gone. His bat speed seems to have diminished and he looks lost at plate.

WhittakerWalt

Ichiro. Again.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Scary thing keeping CC in. I guess they’re hoping he can just get the ball to D-rob.

Dalek Jeter

Okay, very quickly, especially with the edition of Brignac, Ichiro is becoming my least favorite Yankee. He might even wind up on my most hated of all time list.

nycsportzfan

If CC can get through this inning, we will probably see the formula of Robertson and then MO. Nice!

The Real Greg

This should get the bullpen up.

your mom

Casilla’s pissing me off….as usual.

Kramerica Industries

C.C. has just been so hittable at times this year.

Nine hits for the Orioles tonight. Kinda hoping this turns around at some point. It’s been two months of the season now.

WhittakerWalt

10 now.

Pasta

Please get cc out of there

teddy

should be cc last batter

Will The Thrill

Blowout O’s > Scrappy O’s

your mom

Shawn Kelly eh? Don’t know what to think.

Dalek Jeter

Fuck…just fuck.

your mom

Fucking CC.

Wheels

Fuck

Kramerica Industries

Unbelievable.

Took two batters to erase the deficit, once again.

Leg-End

CC should have been out before this inning started.

The Real Greg

That’s very easy to say in hindsight.

Leg-End

His pitch count was nearly at 100, he wasn’t particularly effective and its a 1 run game with a fresh bullpen. Once that runner got on that should have been it, I know its CC by come on, win the game.

Matt

These decisions were obvious to anyone even at the time. That’s a cop out and you know it.

teddy

cc has fail once again.

Karl Krawfid

I mean you’ve been getting beat on sliders all day CC.

A fastball inside wouldn’t be so bad.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Well that was a quick lead cough up.
Bullpen please.

nycsportzfan

Shit!!!! Get Claiborne up!

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

All right. Officially a very disappointing start for CC.

Why is he still in the game?

forensic

Well CC, sure didn’t take you long to give that lead right away, and set them up for another run, and do it against a lefty…

Pasta

See why let cc back out there

teddy

i guess giradri doesn’t care about winning

your mom

He’s got a lot of faith in CC, always has. Not me though. FUCK!!!

WhittakerWalt

This is just who CC is now.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Wake up Joe.

anderson Silva

no reason to let CC pitch against the middle of their order.. he hasn’t been good today.

Sure it can work, but it’s absolutely the wrong decision

Kramerica Industries

G-d fucking dammit C.C.

Fucking pathetic.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Why, why, WHY was CC left in the game? Come on Joe. Come on. Common sense.

FUCK. THIS. GAME.

The Real Greg

Aak him then?

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

What type of stupid comment is that?

Greg. Stop this holier-than-thou bullshit. You did this all the time last year. Not every complaint about a legitimately questionable decision needs to be jumped on by you.

And we started off this year so well…

Karl Krawfid

Damn what a shitty game for CC.

nycsportzfan

Why in the world would we not have someone up to face Hardy? Cc’s given up hits all game long! So stupid!

Rolling Doughnut

Oh fuck

Pasta

Death by giradi’s binder

Eddard

You’ve got one of the best pens in the league and they weren’t brought in after a day off? CC should have been taken out after that lead off hit. Throw one in the dirt to Markakis on 1-2, not belt high where he can drive it.

Reuben Sierra’s Chains

THIS

Troll

While the Ichiro train is late to the station, I’m going to board the express to “Fu*k CC” instead.

Wheels

This is an outrage

anderson Silva

mission accomplished.. leave CC in too long so he can blow the game. Girardi is a fucking genius.

Can probably anticipate the press conference, it will be some “he’s our ace, the big guy, we trust him” bulshit. Fucking moron

True Pinstriped Blue

It’s all that tool’s JJJerkoffs fault. He jinxed the hell out of this team by being there.

Matt

The pitch selection in this game is just sickening.

Just because your fastball is not what it once was, it doesn’t mean that you should abandon it in big situations.

Every time he gets to 2 strikes, the hitters just sit on his offspeed stuff. It’s amazing that even though this is so obvious, there is absolutely no adjustment. You have to throw the fastball to get them off of your breaking stuff. Even to the lefties, who are hanging out over the plate now against him.

The Real Greg

Then it’s Romine’s fault then. Unless CC calls his own game.

Dalek Jeter

Who do you think calls the game? The 12 year Veteran or the 12 week old rookie?

Matt

Greg would go to the ends of the earth to refute a critical post. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous he makes himself look in the process. At this point, it’s really comical at how seriously he takes himself.

Kettle

Hi, pot.

Johnny Wise

+1

Troll

Seems like the ACE gives up at least 10 hits a start . . .

forensic

11 hits and only 2 strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Add in 4 runs (in position for maybe another) and a quickly blown late lead.

Yuck!

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

People wonder why we’re worried about CC?

21 hits in two starts.

Will The Thrill

You shouldn’t be worried. He’s a lefty and he can throw 93MPH. He just hasn’t been having it lately. He usually heats up later in the season.

The Real Greg

Of course everybody here is making their points in hindsight. In the end, the man who has won 500 games + with the Yankees went with a decision and it didn’t work.

Troll

With the Yankees’ payroll and Cashman building a palace out of fetid turds and dirty hotel sheets, Helen Keller could’ve won at least 400 games whilst at the pinstriped helm. I’d actually put the blame on Girardi for keeping CC in after Casilla got on, but ESPECIALLY after the Marcocky double.

forensic

Just how big is the Girardi poster over your bed anyway?

The Real Greg

I have no poster. The manager makes a bad decision. It happens. Shit happens.

Now if he didn’t start to warm Kelley after the Casilla hit, then I’d be angry. But as soon as the first guy got on he got the pen up. That is exactly what I would do.

forensic

When he warms someone up isn’t the end of his job.

Letting him start the inning to face Casilla (who has owned CC in his career) isn’t the end of the world, and then letting him face the lefty Markakis who he’s done ok against could be defended (though he’s given up plenty of hits to lefties, especially in this game).

But, leaving him in to face the righty Machado isn’t a great odds move. Leaving him in to face the righty Hardy (who also has great numbers against him) was just flat-out wrong with the righty warmed up and ready in the pen.

Dalek Jeter

This.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Actually, speaking as one of “everybody”, no I didn’t. Also, I believe we were talking about a mistake he made this game, not any others he’s managed.

Matt

You are really clueless. It is not hindsight when it was obvious to everyone that the decision was wrong before it was even made.

Just because it was posted here afterwards, it does not mean it was hindsight. People don’t sit here and post their every thought in the comments section as it comes to them. You need to get over it.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

How come your infinite wisdom can never be found during wins?

Matt

I don’t live and die with this blog. You need to get over it. Most people are here to vent, not to cheerlead every play. I’d rather just watch the game otherwise.

Johnny Wise

Showing up again to call Greg clueless…imagine that.

Frank

Staked to 2 leads and couldn’t hold them. Disappointing but not all surprising.

Will The Thrill

I think it’s time I add the Orioles to the list of teams I should watch the Yankees play if I want to get myself in a bad mood. Right along with the Rays and Tigers.

Get Phelps Up

It seems like you’re in a bad mood regardless of who they play.

Will The Thrill

Whoa. It must be great to be able to read people’s moods only by reading things they’ve written online. I’m just commenting on a sports thread and most comments on a sports thread are either celebrations or complaints.

nycsportzfan

11hits in 6.1inn? Sloppy!

Pasta

This game is on girardi for not seeing CC was toast in the 6th inning and had nothing in the 7th.

The Real Greg

But also as I said earlier, 9.3 hits/ 9 innings coming in and it is going to go up.

Rolling Doughnut

His BABIP is .308 this year with League Avg of .290 He did get rocked tonight but K/9 and BB/9 are better stats to use for comparison

Eddard

And let’s stop with this well they should trust their ace. Hiroki is the ace now and has been for quite some time. CC is a nice #2 but Hiroki has outpitched him.

Frank

Funny coming from you after running your mouth today about how this was such a pitching mismatch.

your mom

3 HRs by our offense and we’re still losing late.

CC Sabathia, former ace.

forensic

That’s what happens when you only have one other hit in the 7 innings of the game.

wow

CC is awesome forever.

your mom

Why IBB Davis to get to Wieters? Wieters is switch hitter and can actually hit too.

alittleblackegg

Because Chris Davis a monster from hell?

nycsportzfan

At least we still got Vernon Wells to pinch hit for if need be.

Will The Thrill

Anyone think this game would’ve turned out different if Vernon Wells was started instead of Ichiro? Ichiro’s at-bats were pretty pathetic. And even though Freddy Garcia is a righty and Vernon Wells is a righty, he’s not Felix Hernandez! I think he could’ve held his own.

anderson Silva

Girardi is a fucking moron.

Pasta

CC needs to give back some money in that contract to Cano.

your mom

No Arod needs to do that.

Mark Teixera

No, allow me.

Derek Jeter

Can I help? It’s what a captain would do…

Bobby Bonilla

DOn’t listen to Pasta, boys! The Mets are still paying me!

Cy Pettitte

bottom 3rd of their line up was 4/9 tonight against CC, that’s fucking ridiculous.

Leg-End

It ain’t good.

nycsportzfan

He gave up almost 2hits per inning he was in the game. Thats not good at all. Amazing he only gave up 4runs!

nycsportzfan

Thats strike 3 man!

Dalek Jeter

I’m a huge CC fan, but not hooking him after the Markakis double was just the wrong move.

The Real Greg

Now that I can agree with. I might have done that. Or at least send the pitching coach up to talk to stall.

The Real Greg

In the end though, I am not going to blame the manager more than the player.

The Real Greg

That’s why I seem to defend Girardi so much. Because in the end, he doesn’t throw the pitches. He doesn’t swing the bats.

His effect is less felt. Because let’s say Girardi did go to the pen. What if the pen blew it?

Troll

And yet you credit him with 500+ wins . . . ?

The Real Greg

Is Tony LaRussa going to the HOF? Why is he?

In a game like baseball, where luck plays such a major part, nobody should be blamed.

I just like to balance that out with facts.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Ah. So Girardi gets credit for his 500 wins, but no blame.

Come on, Greg. Be consistent. And I like Joe.

The Real Greg

I only blame him when he does something illogical. That was not illogical by definition.

Troll

“That was not illogical by definition”? WTF does that even MEAN in baseball?

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

What? For once, Troll is right. This makes no sense. I’m going to blame him because I think he should have taken CC out after he gave up the first one. Given the low amount of strikeouts and number of hits he had given up previous to giving up the tying run and putting a man in scoring position at the same time I think it’s pretty fucking fair to say that Girardi made a mistake in not taking out CC.

Matt

Facts? Like the fact that righties are torching CC this year with his reduced velocity, yet he was left in to face two righties after the game was tied up with Kelley warm?

Remember, these are the same baseball writers who refused to vote Piazza into the hall of fame because he seemed suspicious, even if he had never been connected once to PEDs in his playing career.

In your view, the manager should get credit for everything. No blame if he fails because it was up to the players, but all of the credit if they succeed, because it was his moves that set it up. You can’t have it both ways.

The Real Greg

I’m saying if there is going to be so much blame brought to the table that it needs to be balanced out with praise.

I think there should be no reaction. There’s too much luck involved.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Oh come on, Greg. You know this makes no sense. When the manager fucks up, we’re going to criticize him. Why are we criticizing him? Because he fucked up.

Does he deserve praise sometimes? Yes. But not when he fucks up. Chuck Knoblauch deserved a lot of praise in 98′, but when he let the ball roll in front of him in an extra inning game and started arguing with the ump, he fucked up and he was rightfully criticized for it. When people make mistakes, it’s not unfair to point them out.

Matt

Girardi can do no wrong in his eyes. If he makes a terrible move and the player fails, well then the player should have bailed him out. If he makes a terrible move and the player succeeds, then he made a great decision. Deflect blame when he fails, but take credit when he succeeds.

forensic

His job is to put players and the team in a better position to succeed, regardless of the outcome.

He didn’t do that there.

The Real Greg

But the problem is that putting a team into a better position to succeed doesn’t guarantee success.

You can do all the right things as a manager and still lose. Who gets the blame then?

Dalek Jeter

The players. If the manager does everything he’s supposed to do the players get the blame. I like to think we’re fairly even about that here. At least I am. CC is just as much culpable for allowing the hits, but to say Giarardi isn’t to blame at all then is just wrong.

forensic

I said “regardless of outcome”. He puts them in a better position, if they fail to do the job then it’s on them.

Again, he failed to do his part to put them in a better position.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Greg. Please. Think things through. We’re not blaming Girardi because CC blew the lead. We’re blaming Girardi for making a bad decision, made even more obvious when it came back to bite him. If he put the team in a position to win and still lost, sure, it’s not his fault. But that’s not what happened. He messed up, and deserves blame.

It’s not rocket science. Stop with this one man defend Girardi crusade and accept the fact that Girardi fucked up.

The Real Greg

In the end it was a bad decision, pure and simple.

But the problem is that we don’t know what his thought process is. If he can defend his decision with logic, then how can you blame a guy for using logic?

Dalek Jeter

It’s logical to expect Ben Francisco to hit well against LHP because he’s a RHH. It’s faulty logic, but it’s logical nonetheless. Does that make it right?

The Real Greg

No. The train of logic there is that Francisco hits better against lefties than righties because he’s a right hander.

Dalek Jeter

But it’s still logical and “if he can defend his decision with logic, then how can you blame a guy for using logic?”

The Real Greg

No. He can hit .100 against righties and .102 against lefties and the logic that I stated would be correct.

Dalek Jeter

My point is, which apparently needs to be spelled out is: just because something can be argued as logical doesn’t make it right, or even defendable. Just because you find faulty logic for CC to be left in after (arbitrary point) Markakis’ AB doesn’t mean it’s right, the same way that just because there is logic in starting Francisco against LHP doesn’t make it right. The same way that just because there is logic in starting Ichiro tonight against Garcia doesn’t make it right.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Greg. Please. You’re embarrassing yourself. He was wrong. I don’t care what his “logic” was. That has nothing to do with the fact that he made an incorrect decision, which he is being rightly blamed for.

Matt

Except it’s wrong. In his career, his splits are virtually identical against lefties and righties. And in this season, Travis Hafner has been better against lefties in a much bigger sample size.

It’s only logical if you ignore all of the other evidence to the contrary, and then make a series of blind assumptions about how he will perform based on heuristics.

Matt

…

Of course he would think he made the right decision. That is not even close to a legitimate excuse. Your job as the manager is to put your team in the best position to win, not to protect your own ego.

Matt

Exactly. It’s not about the outcome, but rather the decisions that were made to set it up. You can still make a bad decision and get a good outcome, but you want to make good decisions to maximize your chance of getting a good outcome. Girardi failed to do that tonight.

The Real Greg

But can he defend it logically? If he can, then you can’t puncture it.

Matt

Just stop. Of course he thinks he made the right decision. It doesn’t mean he made the right one.

If the only way to defend the decision is to rationalize away all of the evidence and to excuse the manager for his ignorance, then clearly he already failed by not preparing for his job.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Huh? What does that even mean?

Look, he can explain why he did what he did. He could still be wrong. If he answered “the voices in my head told me to do it” that would be completely logical if he was hearing voices in his head. It would also be a mistake.

Greg, you’re embarrassing yourself. Cut your losses and move on.

Leg-End

It’s not a major thing to get worked up about, end of the day CC is the one giving it up but Girardi needs to make decision based on what he sees on the field more often.

The Real Greg

IMO the only thing Girardi did wrong in that situation was not stalling more to give the pen more time to warm. He got Kelley up after the Casilla hit which is what I would have done. IF Kelley had been given more time to warm, I would then have hooked him after the Markakis hit.

Tom

So instead of getting Wells in against the lefty last inning, he now will have him face a righty and for good measure burns an extra player as he is PH’ing for the SS.

This has not been one of Joe’s better games.

Eddard

And now Wells is going to hit against Oday’s frisbee. Ichiro is a 4th outfielder. You don’t sit red hot Wells for a .240 singles hitter. It’s not like Freddy was going to overpower Wells.

The Real Greg

So fire him then

Troll

This has the makings of an epic Timmy vs. Jimmy type spectacle.

forensic

I think you’ve gone off the deep end with your absurdity…

WhittakerWalt

I hate when you do this. By your logic we shouldn’t criticize or comment any aspect of the games. Since none of us has the power to fire the manager, what difference does it make?

Will The Thrill

If Ichiro was another player he would sit in favor of the more productive Wells. But since he’s Ichiro and our front office was stupid enough to sign him to a two year deal, Girardi has to find an excuse to play him.

your mom

Down one run only, still have a chance. O’day owns us though.

nycsportzfan

They gotta get through some lefties with Jim Johnson though. Hopefully Cano or Pronk can tie this one up with a big fly!

Will The Thrill

Vernon Wells vs. Freddy Garcia > Vernon Wells vs. Darren O’ Day

Matt

Way to hustle to first Vernon. Jeez.

Will The Thrill

Aww, how cute! Gardner was trying to hit a homerun!

Kramerica Industries

Fucking ridiculous.

If they lose this game, this is unquestionably in the running for most pathetic loss of the season.

So who’s predicting a Red Sox come-from-behind victory to help nudge the Yankees out of sole possession of first?

The Real Greg

Troll it really doesn’t matter. This team is not expected to do anything anyway so who cares?

Troll

Wait, they’d be half a game ahead. FLINTHEART GLOMGOLD!!!!!!!!!!!

your mom

LNOGY.

The Real Greg

Here comes the Dickerson fan club.

Troll

I’ve always liked him. Pissed when they gave him away.

Dave

C.C. definitely not as dominant without his fastball in the 94-96 range like it used to be. What the hell happened? Maybe he needs his Captain Crunch back. I know Girardi has a box in his office.

your mom

Arm fatigue, needs to go on DL……

Rolling Doughnut

What the hell happened is he had surgery in the off season.

Leg-End

Johnson will blow it again.

your mom

Markakis will be sitting slider here.

your mom

HR hitters are up. All we need is one.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

They need two.

your mom

one to tie

Troll

What am I missing? Why is Nix in for Gardner?

forensic

Double-switch.

Troll

Oh, Breignac. That was dumb. But Joe leaves in Ichiro? Ah, poops, they both suck. I rather have Nix in instead. YAHOO!

nycsportzfan

Were in need of a robbie rocket here! Come on bombers!

The Real Greg

Now I want to be clear. I am defending Girardi letting CC start that inning. I am not defending him leaving CC in there to face Hardy to give up the go ahead score. Because by that point it was clear that CC was spent.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

But what if Joe defended his decision with “logic”? Would you revoke your criticism?

The Real Greg

No because he had the bullpen warming, JJ Hardy’s a righty, so he can’t use that excuse. He was backed into a corner.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Nonsense. Joe might defend his position with “logic” you didn’t think of. It doesn’t matter how valid your criticism is if he uses “logic”.

The Real Greg

I’d like to see what logic he could come up with.

Anyway it’s moot now as Travis Hafner has gotten him a reprieve.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

First of all, it isn’t actually moot. He still fucked up. But besides that, what if he said the voices in his head told him to do it? And they’ve never been wrong before. It would be illogical to assume that this would be the one time they were wrong.

Faulty logic, you say? Doesn’t matter. He used logic. So you would have to revoke your criticism.

You want to know what makes more sense? Judging whether or not his decisions were right or not. I really don’t care what his logic was if he fucked up.

Will The Thrill

We need Jesus Montero here to hit two homeruns off Jim Johnson.

nycsportzfan

Wow, Robbie got one to drive there and missed it!

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

I know people always claim racism when people say this. But Cano jogs. And he really shouldn’t. He’s a professional. Run out the damn play.

nycsportzfan

Swung at ball4. Shit!

Will The Thrill

You just had to swing Cano, didn’t you? Shit.

Wheels

Come on Pronk!

Wheels

YESSSSSSS

Kramerica Industries

PRONK!

Dalek Jeter

PRONK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Real Greg

Oh my goodness!

your mom

AAAAAnd THERE IT IS MOFOs!!!!

Rolling Doughnut

PRONK!!

FEED.ME.MORE!

PRONK-AGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

DC

HAFNER!

Get Phelps Up

Pronk!!!!

Cy Pettitte

PRONK PRONK PRONK!!!!

Will The Thrill

Yay Hafner! We better not lose this game now or it’s really gonna sting.

Leg-End

PRONK, had a feeling he was gonna do that.

nycsportzfan

PRONK!!! HOLY SHIT!!

FEED.ME.MORE!

Weiter’s reaction alone told me it was gone.

Rolling Doughnut

This team hits way too many homers.

Get Phelps Up

Yankee Stadium South is coming to life.

Vintage

Feed Him More!

Dalek Jeter

Jimmy is going all Valverde on Showalter. I like it :)

tugger

Boom!!

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Man, we hit too many homers.

Dalek Jeter

There really is no such thing.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Nonsense. If we had made a gritty, gutty comeback, there would still have been men on base, meaning it would be better than a HR. QED.

SeventhAce

TOO MANY HOMERUNS!!!

your mom

WTF GRANDY?????

FEED.ME.MORE!

Wow @ Grandy. Just…..wow.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Terrible at bat Grandyman.

nycsportzfan

Granderson..lol

Cy Pettitte

Cano and Grandy giving Johnson gifts

The Real Greg

Oh, Curtis

Rolling Doughnut

Granderson.Awful

tugger

cut grandy some slack fellas – he’s just getting back in swing of things. first time on this board and want to kill myself with all the negative bs

Will The Thrill

Because he doesn’t strikeout alot when he’s completely healthy.

Dalek Jeter

This? This is nothing. You want negative, check out LoHud’s board.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Actually, don’t. If you want to kill yourself now, that’ll drive you over the edge.

Reuben Sierra’s Chains

No doubt. Crazy bitch is back in the game thread stirring everything up again. Claiming anyone with a twitter account is an egomaniac. That psycho drives everyone bat shit crazy. They think they are the ultimate Yankee fan blog too. Funny.

Rolling Doughnut

You’re kidding right?

tugger

not kidding

tugger

its like the world is going to end with each at bat with you guys – can’t imagine a playoff board

Dalek Jeter

It’s the same. Just with more people calling for more heads more often.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Dude. This is so tame. We actually get along relatively well – even when we bicker we’re mostly willing to turn right around and agree with somebody immediately after.

I’mVernonI’mVernon4U

Sitting on the bus and saw that the game was tied. Put the most evil grin on haha. Way 2 go Haf!

Eddard

If Robertson can hold them for an inning maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get Strop in the 10th. They don’t even have to swing the bat against him and he’ll get himself into trouble.

nycsportzfan

Time for DROB to stiffle these birds!

nycsportzfan

So would Nuno be available to pitch outta pen now that they decided to skip him in rotation?

sangreal

Yes

The Real Greg

Well at least with Wells batting 8th, the bottom of the lineup is no longer a waste of time.

tugger

I love Adams – he’s gonna stick

Dalek Jeter

Agreed on part 1. Hoping on part 2.

nycsportzfan

Dang, i wanted a 1,2,3!! So nervous with Davis against DROB right here.

Dalek Jeter

K-Robertson.

your mom

Sit the F down Davis.

Leg-End

Nice inning D-Rob, so much win when hes got that curve working.

Wheels

Baseball is fun.

Eddard

Please bring in Strop, Buck.

The Real Greg

There he is.

Dalek Jeter

I remember the Yanks killing Strop a couple times last season. Lets hope it continues.

Get Phelps Up

Alright Ichiro.

Cy Pettitte

Ichiro picked a good time to get his one hit of the night

Leg-End

Theres the real Ichiro.

Kramerica Industries

About time Ichiro did something.

Alkaline

I could only imagine Mike’s reaction. :D

tugger

ichiro looks skinnier

sangreal

He does. Sickly almost

The Real Greg

HE DID SOMETHING

fabricio

its the ichi man!!! fuck hess

fabricio

*yes

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Ichi being useful.

Please don’t squander this.

Dalek Jeter

Great…I mean I’m grateful he Ichiro is on base, but that just bought him another 3 weeks to a month of regular ABs.

It never fails, Strop comes in and good things happen for the Yankees! Vernon should have been doing that all night long.

forensic

Ichiro and Wells!!!

Can’t help but say again those are the two I would’ve started today (though at this point it has nothing to do with Garcia, I just couldn’t resist).

:-)

Dalek Jeter

With Gardner in Center I guess?

forensic

Yeah, Gardner was never part of the debate. It was Granderson, Ichiro, and/or Wells.

Dalek Jeter

We’ve discussed at length my feeling on Ichiro, but he does have really good numbers against Freddy. Even though they’re from when both guys were very different players, I probably agree, but just saying, even a 4th Outfielder starts sometimes.

nycsportzfan

Wellsy!

The Real Greg

So in the end, Wells and Ichiro were the correct combination to get it done.

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Good bunt, my man.

JonS

Should’ve started Wells. Game would’ve been over after he dominated Freddy. haha

your mom

“Yankees suck, Yankees suck!” LOL

The Real Greg

Can Nix make Ma and Pa happy?

forensic

Yankees announcers can’t help but mention when a guy is at the plate with a man on 3rd and less than two outs, that the guy at the plate is a pretty good bunter.

All this despite there having been no hint whatsoever of a desire to attempt either kind of squeeze play at any point this season.

Dalek Jeter

I’d do the same thing if I was Markakis. Catching that means a run.

SDB

Sigh. Nix. Damnit.

Cy Pettitte

does Casilla have a ball magnet in his shirt or what?

your mom

Man, I hate Casilla!!!!

teddy

so 2 straiht doubles and you bunt . nix can’t hit

Leg-End

You want to pitch to Hafner? Go right ahead.

The Real Greg

That’s why he did it. Buck is bringing in Matusz to face him.

Leg-End

Worked out well didn’t it.

The Real Greg

And Buck gets bit again

forensic

But there was logic, so it’s not his fault…

http://twitter.com/Paddock9652 Stratman9652

Too lazy to actually check the game logs, but it seems like the Yankees have played extra innings in their first game in Camden Yards for the past few years now.

Dalek Jeter

Lmao…Strop can’t even control the ball for a IBB.

Get Phelps Up

Do it again Pronk.

Anderson Silva

Nix, incredibly shitty professional baseball player

Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Nix.

your mom

So Brian Matisyahu is a reliever now.

Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Pronk!!!

platoon player

Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Travis. Motherfucking. Hafner.

your mom

LOL! Buck fail!

Wheels

Haha

Cy Pettitte

Pronkmania! hooray insurance runs

fabricio

pronk is the man!!! the orioles have been Hafed tonight!!!!

Get Phelps Up

Pronk is such a beast.

Rolling Doughnut

Big night for Pronk!

JonS

Hafner with the big “Fuck You Showalter!!”

forensic

Atta boy Hafner!

Way to pick up the nearly useless Nix and get a very nice insurance run.